If you want to know how to say teacher in Spanish, the most common words are profesor for a male teacher and profesora for a female teacher. Spanish also uses maestro and maestra, especially for primary school teachers or in some regions.
“Teacher” in Spanish is profesor or profesora, pronounced approximately proh-feh-SOR and proh-feh-SO-rah.
How Do You Say Teacher in Spanish?
The usual Spanish word for a teacher is profesor for a man and profesora for a woman. The plural forms are profesores and profesoras.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, students politely address a teacher as profesor or profesora. When speaking directly to a teacher, the choice between tú and usted matters; see you in Spanish.
Meaning: Teacher
Different Spanish Words for Teacher
Choose the word based on gender, school level, and regional preference.
1. Profesor — Male teacher
Profesor refers to a male teacher or professor. Mi profesor de español means “My Spanish teacher.”
2. Profesora — Female teacher
Profesora is the feminine form. Mi profesora es muy amable means “My teacher is very kind.”
3. Maestro — Teacher
Maestro and maestra often refer to primary school teachers and are especially common in parts of Latin America.
4. Docente — Educator
Docente is a gender-neutral and more formal word for an educator or teaching professional.
Teacher in Spanish: Quick Comparison
← Swipe horizontally to see the full table →
| Spanish | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| profesor | male teacher | School, university, general |
| profesora | female teacher | School, university, general |
| maestro / maestra | teacher | Primary school or regional use |
| docente | educator | Formal or gender-neutral |
How to Pronounce Profesor
Profesor is pronounced proh-feh-SOR, with stress on the final syllable. Profesora is proh-feh-SO-rah.
Example Sentences Using Teacher in Spanish
Use: Talking about a male teacher.
Use: Talking about a female teacher.
Use: Referring to a teaching career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher in Spanish
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you say teacher in Spanish?
Say profesor for a male teacher and profesora for a female teacher.
What is the feminine form of profesor?
The feminine form is profesora.
What is the difference between profesor and maestro?
Profesor is general and common for school or university teachers. Maestro often refers to a primary school teacher or is preferred regionally.
How do you say my teacher in Spanish?
Say mi profesor or mi profesora.
What does docente mean?
Docente means “educator” or “teaching professional” and is gender-neutral.
Summary: How to Say Teacher in Spanish
The common words for teacher in Spanish are profesor and profesora. Use maestro or maestra for primary teachers in many regions, and docente in formal or gender-neutral contexts.
